Sophie

Cunningham

Cunningham injured her right knee during Sunday’s win over the Sun, as her leg was fallen into by Sun guard Bria Hartley. Lexie Hull started the second half and should retain that role for the remainder of the season. Also, the Fever signed Shey Peddy to a 7-day hardship contract while waiving Kyra Lambert in a corresponding move. Peddy can provide value as a perimeter defender as the Fever look to navigate their many personnel losses in the backcourt.

Cunningham left the game with 8:04 left in the second quarter after Sun guard Bria Hartley collided with her right knee on a drive to the basket. After the collision, Cunningham was jumping up and down and holding her knee, then she fell to the ground clutching that same right knee in a lot of pain. With Cunningham out for rest of the game, the Fever have turned to wing Lexie Hull — who started the second half in Cunningham’s place — forward Brianna Turner and stretch big Chloe Bibby to soak up Cunningham’s minutes.

Clark has missed time on three separate occasions this season due to lower-body injuries, most recently suffering a strained right groin during a July 15 game against the Sun. While the All-Star guard remains without a return timeline, she has been able to do some running and participate in some individual workouts. With the Fever losing Aari McDonald (foot) and Sydney Colson (knee) to season-ending injuries during an August 7 loss to the Mercury, Kelsey Mitchell served as the starting point guard for the team’s August 9 win over Chicago, and Lexie Hull moved into the starting five. At least two of Mitchell, Hull and Sophie Cunningham were on the court at all times, and that should continue for the foreseeable future. On Sunday, the Fever added backcourt depth with the signing of Odyssey Sims to a seven-day contract.

Cunningham remained efficient from beyond the arc on Saturday, draining a trio of threes on the heels of a season-high scoring performance against the Mercury. The veteran played her role well, as she’s done throughout the season, which led to another strong outing. Cunningham’s spot in the starting lineup seems secured for the long haul as head coach Stephanie White has continuously trusted the veteran sharpshooter. Indiana will look to put together another win on Tuesday against the Wings.

Cunningham was one of two Fever players to score in double figures against the Mercury in what was a rough offensive showing for the team. She was the only starter to shoot above 50 percent from the field, as her efficient three-point shooting led her to set a new season-high in points. The veteran guard has shot the three well throughout her first season in Indiana and is enjoying career-best efficiency from beyond the arc.

Colson’s injury occurred near the end of the first quarter on Thursday, when she went down without contact, after trying to secure an offensive rebound near Indiana’s bench. She stayed on the floor for a while before being helped to the locker room, where she was replaced by Sophie Cunningham and ultimately ruled out during the second quarter. Colson, a veteran guard, had been a part-time starter this season but was most recently serving as a reserve to provide backcourt depth off the bench. The severity of her injury is yet to be determined.

Cunningham has reached double figures in eight of her last 10 appearances, giving the Fever valuable production as the team continues without the injured Caitlin Clark. Cunningham shot 4-of-5 from beyond the arc on Sunday, finishing one shy of her season-high in that category while recording a season-high point total. Fantasy managers needing three-pointers, especially in deeper leagues, would be wise to consider Cunningham, who’s rostered in 41.7 percent of ESPN leagues.

Cunningham was one of four Indiana players to score in double figures on Tuesday, and was the only one to see all of her production come from beyond the arc. The veteran role player executed well as a floor-spacer in the loss, tallying a season-high in made three-pointers and responding well from an inefficient 2-of-8 three-point shooting performance in the team’s most recent game against the Liberty. Cunningham has made multiple threes in five straight games and continues to be a good fit on a healthy Fever squad.

Clark injured her groin during Indiana’s penultimate game before the All-Star break and did not participate in All-Star Weekend activities in Indianapolis. With this being her third lower-body injury of the season, one can expect Indiana to exercise significant caution with its star point guard. Sophie Cunningham moved into the starting lineup for the Fever’s loss to New York in the final game before the break, and Lexie Hull is another possible option to step in for Clark.

McDonald will replace Caitlin Clark (groin) in Indiana’s starting unit, as she makes her fifth start of the season. The Fever has a 4-5 record in games without Clark thus far, but will ask McDonald to help keep the offense clicking as the team tries to improve to .500 in such games. Sophie Cunningham will also start on Wednesday, taking the spot of Lexie Hull.